RevRobert's Ramblings

What Else Besides the Music?

revrobert — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:45:50 +0000

I was reading through some of my worship leader magazines, and because they appeal to a broad spectrum of worshipping folks, they talk about a lot of different things in worship harkening to different traditions and flavors. So, some of it strikes close to home, other things, not so much. But I was challenged a bit by a recent piece that spoke directly to the non-musical elements of worship, and how it adds to (and sometimes detracts from) the worship experience here at Christ Fellowship. Now, we don’t do much interpretive dance or Jesus painting, but I got to thinking, “what are some of the crucial non-musical elements in worship that we enjoy?” It may be that we don’t do much, or that when we worship you are noticing things going on that are subtle and help you glorify God in your heart and mind that are not even part of the official “service”.

Of course, we’re not against the music – its a big part of what we do. I guess I’d like to kick around what we might be able to do or emphasize in our corporate worship services that may enhance our worship times together. Think about our congregation. Think about the people we have in our flock with their particular gifts.

What could we, the worship team do that could enhance our corporate worship without changing anything musically at all?

Let me know…

Coram Deo – Rob

Ode to Earl

revrobert — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:32:15 +0000

A brief story. A long time ago, a young newly hired worship pastor received a phone call. It was his senior pastor, telling him to meet him at the hospital. It seemed that one of the long time parishioners of the church had taken a turn for the worse, and probably wasn’t going to be with us much longer. Her name was Mae, and she was an elderly lady who had spent most of her life going to church on her own, because her surly husband, whom she loved, would have nothing to do with it. Lately, Earl (the husband) had been attending church with Mae. Mae loved to sing alto in the church choir, would smile warmly during the worship singing. She clearly enjoyed the music. Diabetes in later life had slowed her down somewhat but she still made it to church more often than not. That winter, she had taken a fall of a curb, and broke her hip, and things health wise just began unraveling for her. Her kidneys had stopped working in the hospital, and she was now in the final stages, in and out of consiousness. The family had decided to take her off the life support that had been sustaining her, that being Earl and her three grown kids.

So her pastor and the worship pastor met at the hospital, 3rd floor ICU. It had been one of Mae’s final wishes, for people to sing her favorite hymns as she passed into the arms of the Lord. So, that day, her pastors and family held hands around her hospital bed and as they unplugged her machine, began to sing. There weren’t any hymnals; it was a hospital, remember. So, we all sang from memory. For probably at least an hour. You know, its not hardly ever like in the movies,where people pass quickly and silently. It usually takes a little time for the body to let go of the spirit. And so it was with Mae. We watched the monitor, as it slowed down, and finally, everything stopped.

I had sang about every verse of every hymn I had ever heard. Since our church at the time was a largely hymn singing church, my repertoire wasn’t bad, but still, try to sing non stop for an hour. It was brutal in that her family, outside of Earl (who was a new convert) did not know Christ. They were just respecting the wishes of their mother, and knew she wanted to go out that way. So, they held hands, and for the most part, I sang alone. Sang loud. Sang for the nurses who stood outside at the info desk. Sang for her son who curled up and cried like a baby in the corner, absolutely distraught and obviously hopeless without Jesus. Earl mainly watched, and when the tears were done, thanked me for singing, saying “he knew Mae wanted to go that way, and he thought it was great” even if he didn’t know most of the songs. I remember thanking him, and going home and sleeping, I was so wrung out. From then on, Earl was faithful at church, and would stop me in the foyer after services often, and reminisce about Mae. He learned to enjoy the songs, and I think did so mainly because of his wife, who in this life never really saw her husband appreciate her love for worship.

Well, I found out that Earl passed away some time ago from a friend from that church. Earl was 94, and lived a long life, most of it with Christ in pursuit, but those last 15 or so, a child of God. He and I had always (semi) joked that when it was his time, I’d come sing for him too. I missed that chance, but my guess is that He and Mae are learning all the hymns they can handle. But, it made me think about how I’d want to go. I hope someone sings for me. Even though I missed my chance with Earl; I felt this weird need to tell his story. It remains still one of those really powerful moments that marked me. Something that formed me in early ministry. Earl called me for years aftewords, usually on or near the anniversary of Mae’s death. It was a constant friendly reminder, and he would always, again, thank me for that day.

CORAM DEO

rob

“Time Out”

revrobert — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:36:06 +0000

Last night, we had a Holy Ground session with the youth, just a time of singing and prayer. Our theme of the night was the idea of “time out”. Even if you’ve never played, you’ve probably seen a team where the action was just fast and furious, and then the coach just calls out those magical words, “time out”. Action suspends for a minute or so, and the respective teams usually go to their sideline or bench.

As near as I can tell, time outs serve the following purpose;

1. Somethings going wrong and the coach needs time for redirection or correction.

2. The coach wants to try something new and needs some time and direct attention to explain it.

3. The team just needs a minute to catch their breath.

Now, moving from the sports analogy to worship, last night we played with that idea, that when we gather for corporate worship, there are some parallels. I’ve pointed out three. In the Word we always see God calling people to Himself, offering for us to draw near. I think we all understand that life is ‘the game’, so to speak. That we can’t spend all our time in a holy huddle, singing praise songs; though at times it may seem attractive. For you, what purpose does the time out serve? Have you felt that way lately, and how does corporate worship (if it even does) accomplish some of those things for you, or in us?

CORAM DEO

rob

Simple Worship…or is it?

revrobert — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:31:33 +0000

I’m reading a book now that is sure to be influential in the future direction of our ministries, and it’s title is “Simple Church”. Don’t be afraid, I’m not going to ask anyone to read it; though you would all benefit from doing it if you chose to! It’s not painful to read, but there’s no pictures. Anyhoo, one of its basic premises is that complexity tends to creep in our lives and as it does it makes us less effective. If you don’t agree, its ok, but realize that’s only a summary. They point to various successful organizations that follow the simplicity model; companies like Apple, and of course, various churches.

Somewhere along the line, I (and maybe you, that’s why I’m asking) have bought what appears to be the lie that complexity is superior, and to be upheld as ideal or at least sought after. Keeping it simple and focused just seems…so simple? So backwards? So…darn hard to do! Simple isn’t to be confused with easy. That’s another lie I’ve bought. Simple = Easy. The truth is, keeping things simple is ultimately a LOT harder than allowing complexity to seep in. That’s the easy road. So, now that I’ve laid the groundwork here a bit, here’s some thoughts about our topic – I bet you thought I’d never get around to worship, did you?

What does it mean to keep worship simple? Put from the other side, how can or does worship get ‘complex’ in that not so good way? I would challenge you to let your mind sit a bit on what you think ‘simple’ means. Let it expand a little on this. I would like to hear about the simplicity of worship from you, the lead worshippers! Another way to think of it is this; if you were trying to explain worship in a practical way to someone without any church context to draw from, what would it sound like.

CORAM DEO – rob

Acting on Intrigue

revrobert — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:24:45 +0000

One of the disappointing things about getting older is my general lack of interest in the unknown. Intrigue, wonder, mystery. I wonder what causes that? Kids wonder about everything. Toddlers? Can’t keep them OUT of anything, they are so curious. I don’t think its because I’m so vain as to think I know it all. I’m probably more aware of my ignorance and limitations than I ever have been – much to my chagrin! Could it be the sometimes overwhelming feelings we get from that which we DO know? I was reading about the angel’s appearance to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. You’ve heard it before, and I was struck again by the simple and so appropriate response of the shepherds. After the angels left, they said basically (rob’s paraphrase here, forgive me…) “we got to check this out. lets go”. In fact, the text notes that they came ‘in haste’.

When was the last time I did ANYTHING in haste? And I don’t mean rushing through a traffic signal! When was the last time I, in wonder, responded in haste to what God had done or revealed to me? Granted, if He told me there was a messiah born nearby, that (I hope) would move me. But on a more practical level, I do wonder – what moves me?

May the Christ Child cause you to wonder and move today. May God reveal Himself to you in such a way today that you feel compelled to respond, simply because you were moved to do so without any regard for anything else.

Think like a shepherd!

CORAMDEO- ROB

Thanking God for Small Packages

revrobert — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:00:38 +0000

As we think about worship in this festive time of year, my thoughts turn to presents. Not like, “what’s underneath the tree for me” expectation, though I’m guilty of that as much as anyone. I think of the expectation surrounding the Christ child those many years ago. When we read the story, we get a hint of it. We see some of the worship response as Mary answers the angels with praise and expectancy. We see it in the angels response the night of the birth with the shepherds in their proclamation. All this, for a small package. Some saw the significance; my guess is most had no idea. I remember having one of our kids born on Christmas Eve, 1996. Elizabeth came into our lives, and totally wrecked Christmas plans, yet gave us the most glorious, restful, peaceful Christmas I had probably ever celebrated. Why? With a newborn baby, things are pretty simple. You eat, change diapers, and try to get some rest in between. Lots of holding. Lots of wondering. I remember it being summarized as ‘tired smiling’. All that – for a small package.

So, as you look to your season this year, what small packages can you praise God for this year? Anything you haven’t noticed under your tree, unless you had been prodded to think about it? I pray that you’re able to spend a few minutes thinking about the gifts God has laid on you, and are able to give Him praise. Even for the little ones! Remember, it’s not always the big stuff that is worth the most, even if they’re funnest to open!

coramDEO-rob

“Lord, please be with us…”

revrobert — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:33:35 +0000

I remember back in my seminary days, lo, those many eons ago, a discussion that seems pertinent and maybe/hopefully profitable. As we settle into the ‘season’, we turn our thoughts to Jesus, to His incarnation and birth, and all the attendant subplots we see in the biblical story. While we may explore those, as it just seems natural and right, today, we start in the beginning.

When the angel visited Joseph initially, in Matt.1:18-25, we are given that initial instruction as to what would happen. And we are given the name of the baby. At least that was ONE argument that he and Mary didn’t have to have. Just think of all that would be settle if angels came and told all young couples what their kids names should be…but I digress! His name, it is told, was to be Immanuel, or translated, ‘God with us’.

Back to the seminary discussion. We were talking about prayer and how we pray. And what we tend to say. And it came up how much people used the phrase, “lord, be with so-and-so today as they go to school (insert here vacation, surgery, or anywhere else a person can be or go)”. The big discussion was; why do we pray for God to be somewhere when He already came and His very name is “God with us”, not to mention that as God He is omnipresent and omniscient as well. Yet, in our humanness, we pray that still, “Lord, please show up!”. I think I know what people mean when they say it. Yet, I’ve tried to kind of purge that phrase from my prayers only because I want to practice the truth that He is here, He is there, He is everywhere, and my prayers don’t need to start with inviting Him to come when He’s already there waiting for me, or us, or Aunt Mabel’s hip surgery.

Immanuel – God with us. We talk in Christ Groups about how important His presence is. Can we just assume it? I hope so. Is this just one of those prayer sayings that have crept in and we say without thinking? Tell me what you think.

And at the very least – worship God today because He’s still Immanuel – still with us!

coram DEO

rob

Worshipping at the Well…

revrobert — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:34:49 +0000

We have probably all heard our fair share about the woman at the well in Jn.4:7-26. There’s a lot to be had there, so instead of trying to swallow it all, I was thinking about the end where she is trying to take Jesus ‘her’ direction a bit. Past her questions regarding thirst, things start to get a little close to the vest when they start talking worship. Ironically, that’s what WE’RE talking about!

So, when she speaks to Jesus regarding worship, He quickly sets her straight in v.24 when he says, “and hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. GTod is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

So you may want to read the whole passage, for context’ sake. But I welcome your thoughts on what it means for us to worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Evidently, He is still looking for those!

CORAM DEO

rob

“The Other Side…”

revrobert — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:05:35 +0000

OK, having heard what’s on your good lists, lets briefly and constructively think about songs that DON’T make that list. Those worship songs that for whatever reason don’t do it for you. I don’t want to waste much time being critical, but it might be worth it talking about songs that may not be great songs. Try to be constructive, so saying “Song X really just stinks” may be true, but not very constructive. What makes a song a bad song? Or, is it a musical thing?

So, let’s hear it! As a precursor, I’d also say be nice. THe song you hate MAY be on someone else’s ‘life list’…so be gracious . And yes, I have mine as well. I will wade into this in a little while, I promise!

What’s on your List?

revrobert — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:33:15 +0000

To kind of cleanse the palate, so to speak, let’s switch gears. I lovingly like to joke with one of our praise team members about certain songs and whether or not they are their favorites. Certain songs mean certain things to us; and this particular person has different lists, such as favorites, or ‘life song’ lists, and maybe even others. For brevity’s sake, I thought it might be fun to kind of share what YOUR favorite song is, and a little blurb as to why. No right or wrong answers here; its not a trick question. It can be as deep or trivial as you like. It can be a chorus or a hymn, or both. I just realize that I’ve never really sampled everyone as to their particular fav’s….so why not now?

Can’t wait to see the “Christ Fellowship Praise Team Top Ten”…if we get that many. I’ll wade in after I’ve seen some of yours…I’m waiting!

CORAM DEO – rob